THE heart-throb posted a link on Twitter to a Bootea site which sells "intense" weight-loss and appetite suppressing diet supplements.

ONE DIRECTION star Louis Tomlinson has sparked fury from health campaigners and fans after promoting a weight-loss website.

The heart-throb posted a link on Twitter directing his 13.9million fans, who are mainly impressionable youngsters, to the Bootea site, which sells “intense” weight-loss and appetite suppressing diet supplements.

Three hours after we contacted the singer’s publicist for a response, the post was deleted but by then it had received more than 10,000 re-tweets and 14,000 “favourites”.

Last night, his spokesman said: “Louis tweeted about the drink as he had one and enjoyed it. However, he did not realise they are associated with weight-loss and would never endorse weight-loss products.”

After Louis’s tweet, the £34.99 Bootea shake smoothie packages sold out and were later removed from the site. But fans could still buy the brand’s teas, which are said to “burn fat” and “suppress appetite”.

In the FAQ area of the site, reference is made to laxative side-effects and it also appears to warn that being on a “teatox” could undermine the effectiveness of the Pill.

Shocked Twitter users hit out at Louis, disgusted that he’d plug Bootea’s products. One said: “So you think it’s a grand idea to promote weight-loss shakes to impressionable young girls? Not cool.”

Another said: “You should NOT promote stuff like that!! #soangry”.

Another told him: “STOP that’s not helping people with anorexia and stuff.” Louis was also branded “reckless, unethical and wrong”.

Lucy Russell, of the YoungMinds charity, who work to improve young people’s mental health, blasted the singer. She said: “It’s really irresponsible and short-sighted of him.

“Louis has such a huge audience – especially young girls. “It’s very silly and remiss of him and the people around him. Three children in every classroom have a diagnosable mental health problem. Louis is a mentor to millions. The ones who are easily led will be thinking: ‘I’ll buy some of that.’”

Trim Louis also received messages from concerned fans, worried that he is attempting to lose weight. “You’re a stick, why would you want to lose weight?” one posted.

Yesterday, it was reported that eating disorders in males have increased by 24 per cent in the UK over the past decade, with the highest rates among older teens.

Louis also did not give any indication that his post was an ad. The Ad­­­­­­vertising Standards Authority suggest celebs who receive payment or freebies in return for advertisement tweets should make it clear to followers that it is sponsored

* For information or support concerning young people’s mental health wellbeing, visit www.youngminds.org.uk